If you plan on visiting Seattle, these are the best places to visit in Seattle. The Emerald City is a damp green gem, with an abundance of evergreen trees. It is located in Washington and settlement in the area began in November 1851.
Visiting Seattle
The city is a bustling place with lots of industrial, commercial, and cultural activities. The water teems with great oceangoing ships.
It also has railway lines, aircraft, arts, literature, and sports. Dozens of museums and galleries are some of the things you can’t miss.
Water rests between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. There is a space for outdoor activities. The nearby Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier are visible from many spots in the city.
Best Places To Visit In Seattle
Seattle is a major port of entry, an air and sea gateway to Asia and Alaska. A city that commands the resources, and extends to the Great Plains of Montana.
Waterfronts are tourist hotspots and fairly expensive. The views across Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains make visiting a must so plan your budget.
The Art Museums holds impressive artworks. The space needle is safe and a towering site, Pop culture Museum will teach you about modern society.
Chihuly gardens and Ballard are a source of color and happiness. Below are all the best places to visit in Seattle.
Visiting Puget Sound Seattle
Puget Sound is a sound of the Pacific Northwest and an inlet of the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Salish Sea. Puget Sound is located along the northwestern coast of the U.S. state of Washington.
Puget Sound extends approximately 100 miles (160km) from Deception Pass in the north to Olympia in the south.
In 1972, George Vancouver gave the name Puget Sound to the waters south of Tacoma Narrows in honor of Peter Puget. He was a Huguenot lieutenant accompanying him on the Vancouver Expedition.
Puget South is famous for abundant wildlife, farming communities, hidden gems, native cultures, and San Juan Island.
Puget Sound’s temperature is about 67.8°F. The water can cause drowning therefore use a floating device. Floaters are necessary for strong swimmers too. Avoid shellfish shells, they are sharp and found along beaches.
The distance between Seattle and Puget is 16 miles.
Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of Downtown Seattle, Washington.
At Pioneer Square you can visit a national historic park, or take an underground historic tour, and check out the city’s top art galleries.
Occidental Park is a can’t miss spot in Pioneer Square. The live music, games, and activities are sponsored by the Seattle Parks Department.
The waterfall garden park, art galleries, Pioneer square bars, restaurants, shopping are some of the fun things to do in Pioneer Square.
Pioneer Square is very safe, especially at night. There are always lots of people out on the streets.
Lake Union
Lake Union is a freshwater lake. It is located entirely within the city limits of Seattle Washington. Swimming is not allowed in Lake Union at all. You can fish during summer after they finish spawning in April- May.
At Lake Union, you can go Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Have fun on a cruise or rent a boat. Explore gas Works Park or walk the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop.
A ride on Kenmore Air is fun or a visit to Lake at Union Park and MOHAI. You can also browse the houseboats or tour the museums. It takes about 3 hours to walk around the lake.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is located in southeast Pierce County Washington State. The Park was established on March 2, 1899, as the 5th national park in the United States.
Mount Rainier is surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and acres of old-grown forest. The Mount is circled by the Wonderland Trail. The place is covered by glaciers and snowfields totaling about 35 square miles.
The purpose of Mount Rainier Park is to protect and preserve. Mount Rainier is a glaciated volcano. They preserve natural, and cultural resources, values, and dynamic processes.
Mammals and birds inhabit the national park. You may see a black bear, bobcat, snore shoe hare, beaver, porcupine, and deer. We also spotted elk, mountain goats, red foxes, raccoons, and cougars.
Some birds can be seen such as thrush, grouse, peregrine, harlequin duck, and peregrine. If you are lucky falcon, golden eagle, Canada jay, and many more
Visiting Green Lake Seattle
Green lake is a freshwater lake in north-central Seattle, Washington. The lake was named by David Phillips in September 1855. Its natural state of algae blooms made it green.
During summer the lake is popular for swimming and boating. Motorized boats are banned. You can use sailboarding pedal boats, rowboats, skiffs, and canoes.
Green Lake is a beacon for wildlife. Toads, ducks, cormorants, loons, geese, turtles, and squirrels are common.
Many species of fish live in Green Lake. Trout are stocked for recreational fishing. You can spot common carp, tiger muskellunge, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and bullhead.
If you love wildlife Green Lake will be one of the best places to visit in Seattle for you.
Kerry Park
Kerry Park is located in Compton California. The Park is the site of the bronze sculpture and lies on 325- acres of land. The place was named after Edward J. Kelly. He was a former superintendent of National Capital Parks.
Kelly Park is known for its free-flowing natural spring and crystal-clear water. Near Kelly Park, you will see plenty of wildlife, turtles, alligators, and birds.
With good comfortable shoes, a 7-mile hiking trail can make you lose some weight. The fabulous playing ground, picnic shelters, and swimming is a must-do. The playground has tube slides, swings, jungle gym which makes kids have relief from their regular activities.
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park was created and operated by Seattle Art Museum. It is a public park that allows residents and visitors to experience a variety of sculptures in an outdoor setting.
The Sculpture Park opened in January 2007, 9 acres of industrial land on the waterfront was transformed into a beautifully landscaped sculpture park.
Most people use the place as a dream wedding venue, not only for weddings but also provides indoor and outdoor event spaces,
From the dramatic PACCAR glass pavilion to admiring the views from the grassy amphitheater. We didn’t skip Richard Serra’s 300-ton sculpture. A5 rust-colored walls resembling a ship’s hull.
There is a stainless-steel tree, as you continue down the trail. You will also find more sculptures and much more.
Olympic National Park
The Olympic National Park is on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, in the Pacific Northwest. It takes just 2 and a half hours to drive to Olympic National Park from Seattle.
The national park protects a vast wilderness. There are thousands of years of history, several ecosystems, and glacier-capped mountains. Have fun in old-growth temperature rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline.
There are different outdoor activities at Olympic National Park that will keep you the entire family busy. The activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, and many more. The Olympic National Park is one of the best places to visit in Seattle.
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park is located in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is a coal gasification plant. You can enjoy picnicking, climbing the man-made hill, and flying colorful kites.
The gas park was operated as a Seattle Lightning Company until 1930. The name was changed to Seattle Gas Company. Its primary product was illuminating gas manufactured from coal. The gas was later also used for cooking, refrigeration, and heating homes and water.
The old pump house has been converted to a sheltered playground; the boiler room is a picnic shelter. Swimming or wading is prohibited due to hazardous sediment in the water.
Once inside the park, you can climb the Great Mound. Enjoy the breathtaking views over lake union. Watch boat traffic on the water. Wander down to the lower viewing platform by the water’s edge for amazing views.
Visiting Discovery Park
Discovery Park is located on the shores of Puget Sound, in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Discovery Park is the city’s largest public park. It contains 11 miles of walking trails.
The Park is one of the best places to visit in Seattle. You will be able to view wildlife, birds, and marine mammals.
There is a treasure trove of green spaces, natural shoreline, paved and rough trails alike. You can visit the daybreak star cultural center, a great place you can admire the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Washington Park Arboretum
Washington Park is a public park in Seattle Washington united states. Most of which is taken by the Washington Park Arboretum. It is a popular site for strolling and is utilized by photographers and artists.
Washington Park Arboretum was designated in September 2016. The area is 230 acres of urban green space. The Arboretum contains one of the most diverse and important plant collections in North America and is easily accessible.
In 2017, the Arboretum Loop Trail was opened. Cyclists and pedestrians are taken care of. The area provides a beautiful, peaceful and calm path for all to enjoy. A truly hidden gem in Seattle and one of the best places to visit in Seattle.
Alki Beach Park
Alki Beach Park is located in West Seattle Washington. The distance between Downtown Seattle and Alki Beach Park is about 4 miles. The Park has a great seawall for people to walk and watch.
We loved this place because it is good for kids to burn their energy. They can walk around, do rollerblading, beach volleyball, and much more. It is indeed a great spot to relax, play and enjoy. Kids mostly enjoyed building sandcastles.
In case you want to play volleyball, carry your ball and net. Call 206-684-4062 to reserve your court. Bonfires are allowed throughout the year in designated fire pits. Don’t worry about the food, most restaurants and facilities are located in or near Alki Beach Park.
Final Thoughts
Good things are happening in Seattle, yummy food and drinks, transportation by air, road, and water. I loved that the accommodation options are many, good weather, and different markets to do some shopping.
Kindly don’t forget your hiking shoes, a raincoat in case it rains, sunglasses, a camera and some snacks on the way.
There is no shortage of things to do and places to see in this metropolis. Kindly share the post the best places to visit in Seattle and also follow Visiting Travelers Pinterest for awesome travel ideas.
